Justice Watch | An Alliance for Justice blog tracking the latest developments in the fight for a fair America

President Obama Signs Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Only moments ago, President Barack Obama, with Lilly Ledbetter at his side, officially signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act into law. This morning’s bill signing was historic on several levels. It was the first bill to be signed by our nation’s first African-American president, and was ushered through Congress with the help of the first female speaker of the House.

While this law is by no means an end to the struggle for equality, it is most certainly an exciting step, reversing the disastrous Supreme Court decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear, and making it easier for workers to fight discrimination.

In a statement released this morning, AFJ President Nan Aron said “we owe a debt of enormous gratitude to Lilly Ledbetter. This woman from Gadsden, Alabama never gave up the fight, despite enormous odds and personal sacrifice. She stood up for millions of working Americans, even though she will not personally benefit from the law the bears her name…We thank Lilly for leading the way to fairness and justice for all.” It is, at long last, a new day in Washington.